Clive Davis Remembers Whitney Houston

The record mogul credited with discovering and mentoring Whitney Houston memorialized the late singer Saturday night at his annual pre-Grammy event.

Ironically, it was at this same event where Clive Davis first introduced the talented young ingénue more than 20 years ago.

Mesfin Fekadu of The Associated Press writes that a grief-stricken Davis read a statement to his event’s guests, which included Tony Bennett and Dr. Dre, saying, "I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me. She was full of life, looking forward for tonight. She loved music and she loved this night that celebrated music."

He added that Whitney "would have wanted the show to go on" and asked the crowd for a moment of silence to remember his friend before concluding with, "now ladies and gentlemen, let the music begin."

At the event, Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow, also a friend of Houston’s, reportedly confirmed that Jennifer Hudson will salute the "I Will Always Love You" singer at Sunday night’s Grammys ceremony.